Friday, July 15, 2011

well, that's what they're for, right?!

Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!

This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about how the mothers before you influenced your choice to breastfeed. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!

I don't ever remember seeing anyone nurse a baby until I was pregnant with my first child, Kurtis. It was at a local La Leche League meeting that I remember seeing young babies and toddlers nursing. Luckily this first experience was a good one and set the precedent that nursing beyond a year was normal. My grandmothers breastfed my parents and my mother breastfed me for about six months, which was quite a long time in 1976! I don't think any of that influenced my decision to breastfeed. I just remember thinking "well, that's what they're for, right?!" Maybe somewhere inside of me I knew I came from a family of breast-feeders, who knows? I attribute my breastfeeding success to that first La Leche League meeting I attended over 15 years ago!

Throughout my nursing career I've had the unwavering support of my mother who proudly tells (probably even strangers) that her daughter is still nursing her three year old granddaughter. The rest of my family including my step-mother, father and in-laws have only ever shown support for my decisions with my children, including the decision to breastfeed. This, I'm sure, has had a lot to do with my continued success with my breastfeeding relationships with my children. Having a supportive family is critical. Now, comes another chapter of our relationship as my daughter grows older and we eek out of the toddler nursing category into the "and beyond" category. I expect nothing less than continued support from my family however numbered our breastfeeding days are.Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.

5 comments:

That is so wonderful that you have such a supportive family and such positive first experiences! What a wonderful family legacy you've inherited and continued on to your children! I'm happy for you, but just a tad jealous.

After a year I just don't mention bf. If it does come up the comments are along the lines of "are you STILL nursing that kid?" and "You know, when he can ask for it, he's too old." Then again that isn't the only mothering decision that has raised eyebrows (and more) among my family members. Oh well.

How lovely that your mom is so proud of you for continuing to breastfeed your daughter! LLL is such a great resource, too. I'm curious what made you want to attend a meeting before your baby was born? Sounds like it was certainly meant to be!

It was at a La Leche League meeting that I first had the courage to breastfeed my daughter without a cover. Immediately afterwards, I wondered why I ever did it with one to begin with. La Leche League is awesome!

Amy- I don't quite remember who told me I ought to go to LLL. It may have been suggested at a class I went to on base (my husband at the time was in the Marine Corp) or it could have been my doctor!? I just know someone suggested I go!

I think that is so awesome that you are being able to nurse through toddler years and beyond! I wanted to child-led wean, but complications during my 2nd pregnancy caused me to wean my first at 18 months. I feel guilty some times that I didn't let her choose, but It's nice to see others succeeding in it!